Christmas pickle facts for kids
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The Christmas pickle is a fun and unusual tradition for some families, especially in America. It involves hiding a special pickle-shaped ornament on a Christmas tree. The first person to find it often gets an extra gift or is said to have good luck for the next year! Many people think this tradition started in Germany, but it actually seems to be a German-American idea that began in the late 1800s.
What is the Christmas Pickle Tradition?
In this tradition, a small, decorative pickle ornament is carefully placed on a Christmas tree among all the other decorations. On Christmas morning, everyone searches for the hidden pickle. The person who spots it first usually gets a special extra present from Santa Claus. They might also be told they will have good fortune for the whole next year.
The town of Berrien Springs, Michigan, once called itself the "Christmas pickle capital of the world." From 1992 to about 2003, they even held a fun pickle parade!
Where Did the Christmas Pickle Come From?
Many Americans believe the Christmas pickle tradition comes from Germany. They often call it a "Weihnachtsgurke," which means "Christmas pickle" in German. However, this idea is likely a story that isn't true.
It's thought that the Christmas pickle tradition might have started in the 1890s. This was when glass Christmas tree decorations began to be imported from Germany to the United States. Companies like Woolworths were among the first to bring these ornaments over. Glass vegetable ornaments, including pickles, were imported from France starting in 1892. So, even though the tradition didn't start in Germany, the idea of Christmas pickles has now traveled back there from the U.S. You can even buy them in Germany today!
Other Stories About the Pickle's Start
One story suggests the tradition began during the American Civil War. A soldier named John C. Lower, who was born in Bavaria (part of Germany), was captured in 1864. He was taken to a prison camp called Camp Sumter. The story says that on Christmas Eve, while he was starving, he begged a guard for a pickle. The guard gave him one, and John later said that pickle saved his life. After he returned home, he started a tradition. Every year, he would hide a pickle on his family's Christmas tree.
Another story, also from Berrien Springs, is an old tale from the Victorian era. It tells of Saint Nicholas saving two Spanish children. The children were trapped in a barrel of pickles by a mean innkeeper. This story connects the pickle to a tale of rescue and kindness.
